Due to technological advancements, sports betting online has become a fully-fledged pastime activity for many punters. The industry was estimated to be worth around 76 billion in 2021 and is expected to hit 100 billion in 2023.

This guide to sports betting gives detailed information on how sports betting works, types of sports bets, pros and cons of online betting, a comparison between online sportsbooks and land-based betting sites, how to place bets, as well as betting tips.

The Complete Guide to Betting on Sports

Since sports betting is among the most sought-after forms of gambling today, it's advisable for anyone joining the venture to understand the basics. As a result, every beginners guide to sports betting must emphasize choosing the best online betting sites for sports before creating a gambling account. It helps you enjoy a seamless betting experience.

Secondly, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of games, bet types, and odds offered by the best sports betting sites online before placing any wager. It ensures you don't lose money in the process. Finally, ensure you compare different sportsbooks to choose the best markets and odds because they change from time to time depending on the sportsbook you are playing at.

What is Sports Betting?

Sports betting involves predicting the results of a sports event and wagering on the outcome to earn real money. Usually, each game comes with unique betting features, including markets and odds. The player must select the correct possible result in each event and wager real money to earn from the best sports online betting sites. The money used to bet is multiplied by the wagered odds for the punter to earn or lose money.

How Does Online Sports Betting Work?

Online sports betting relies on the internet to work. Typically, the best sports betting sites online require you to register an account before you start betting. These sites have a section listing all the games offered to their customers.

In addition, you can download the best online sports app to monitor your betting progress, including your betting history, won money, lost bets, etc. Typically, these apps are compatible with Mac, iOS, Apple, and android devices.

Types of Sports Bets

The best part of participating in sports betting is that punters have different ways to bet on every game. For instance, you don't have to predict which team wins a game; you can bet on the margin of victory, the total number of points to be scored, the player to be sent off, the team to start a specific match, and more. With that in mind, let's review some of the most common types of sports bets offered at the best online sports betting sites today.

• Moneyline Bets: This type of bet is also referred to as a straight bet. It involves placing a wager on the team that will win a specific game.
• Futures: These types of wagers involve placing a bet at the early stages to predict the eventual winner. For instance, you can bet on which team wins the world cup at the beginning of the competition.
• Parlays: Parlay bets are also known as accumulators. They involve combining multiple wagers into one bet to boost your outcome.
• Point Spreads: Typically, online sports betting sites pay a spread point win based on the accuracy of the wager. That means a point spread provides users with different betting options, including push, win, or loss.
• Props: A preposition bet or a prop bet offers several possibilities because they involve predicting the occurrence or non-occurrence of a sporting event.

Pros and Cons in Betting

Pros

• It is a lucrative recreational venture because it allows you to make huge profits
• It is easy to start and bet
• It is entertaining
• Some betting sites allow users to socialize
• Some gamblers use sports betting to enhance their skills, including critical thinking and pattern recognition

Cons

• Betting sites can expose your privacy to third parties
• Sports betting can be addictive to new players
• It might give you a false sense of control
• In most cases, the house has a mathematical edge

Online Betting Vs. Land-Based Betting for Beginners

Land-based casinos refer to the traditional brick-and-mortar establishment with physical addresses. On the other hand, online sports betting sites can only be accessed via the internet. Most punters prefer online betting sites because they can access their services in the comfort of their smartphones. Besides, they feature a wide range of games compared to brick-and-mortar establishments.

Unlike land-based betting sites, the best online sports betting site operates 24/7 to ensure you access its services at any time. Another huge difference between land-based sites and online casinos is customer support. In most cases, physical establishments offer extra perks such as food and drink. On the other hand, online sportsbooks offer welcome and in-game bonuses to new and existing players.

How to Place Bets

Once players have chosen the best sports online betting sites and familiarized themselves with the gaming details, they can follow the following steps when wagering on sporting events for the first time:

1. Create a betting account if they don't have one
2. Log into their account and fund it
3. Select their preferred game and bet type
4. Enter the amount and submit the bet

Going From a Novice to a Pro in Sports Betting

Sports betting is easy to start, even for newbies. The key to becoming an expert in predicting game outcomes lies in knowing all the intricate details associated with winning big in sports betting. For instance, it's advisable to bet on the sports you are familiar with to avoid losing money. Also, ensure you keep track of your betting finances and avoid chasing losses.

FAQ

What is the trick to sports betting?

The biggest trick to sports betting is understanding that the house always has an edge. Therefore, players must familiarize themselves with all the details involved in sports betting. This includes types of sports bets, understanding if sports betting is for you, and understanding valuable resources for betting in sports.

What does minus/plus one mean in betting?

The minus/plus wager is an example of a money line bet. The minus sign means that the team is favorite among the two and is likely to win the event, whereas the plus sign indicates the other team is less likely to win an event.

What is the safest betting strategy?

There isn't any particular 'safe' betting strategy, but wagering about 2% of the total sports betting bankroll seems to be a good betting strategy.